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Podcasts Take Two
Getting to know LA's powerful labor leader Maria Elena Durazo
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Nov 26, 2013
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Getting to know LA's powerful labor leader Maria Elena Durazo
She's been called the most powerful person in Los Angeles. Not the mayor, not the police chief, not any city official, but Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, addressed the crowd at Santa Monica Car Wash where union officials and community leaders rallied Monday, May 21.
Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, addressed the crowd at Santa Monica Car Wash where union officials and community leaders rallied Monday, May 21.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)

She's been called the most powerful person in Los Angeles. Not the mayor, not the police chief, not any city official, but Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

She's been called the most powerful person in Los Angeles. Not the mayor, not the police chief, not any city official, but Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

She might not exactly be a household name, but Durazo wields enormous influence in this city, where labor is still a major force to be reckoned with. 

Reporter Hillel Aron, who wrote a profile of this power broker for the current issue of Los Angeles Magazine, joins the show with more.